Odysseus Strings His Bow is book twenty-one of Homer's The Odyssey (Greek: Ὀδύσσεια, Odysseia). In this chapter, Penelope, Odysseus' wife, retrieves the great bow of King Odysseus of from a storeroom. She announces that she will marry whichever suitor can both string it and shoot an arrow through a line of the rings on twelve axe handles.
Penelope is in great distress as she fears that she can hold out no longer against her overbearing suitors. In a frantic attempt to discard her suitors, she goes to a secret storeroom where she procures Odysseus' bow.Telemachus, Odysseus' son, sets up the axes and attempts to string the bow himself to claim the throne from his father. He did not wish to marry his mother, but more so he wishes to prevent the suitors from taking his home away from him and to keep honor in the family. Yet he fails. The other suitors try to ease the bow with grease, but each one fails, one after another. Meanwhile, Odysseus, who is disguised as a vagabond, is outside with Eumaeus, his old friend and swineherd. Also with Philoetius his cowherd. Odysseus shows them the scar on his foot, which he received from the tusk of a boar he fought when he was younger, to ensure loyalty as they do not recognize him. The reason he doesn't look like himself is because Athena wanted Odysseus to make it to his home in discretion. After devising a plan to rid his home of the cocky suitors, Odysseus tells his friends to slip inside with him, lock the doors and to keep people out while he slaughters the suitors. This would take place after he reveals his identity, of course, by conquering the challenge. Eumaeus and Philoetius agree to fight. When inside, Eumaeus takes the bow, but the room fills with laughter as they know the old swineherd had no chance, Odyseus takes the bow from him and is able to string it as the men mocked him as well. As Odysseus' skills were put into action the suitors held their breath with fear as he the shaft of the speeding arrow pierced the target and nary scraped a single ax. Odysseus makes himself known in the room and after signaling to his astonished son, a vicious onslaught occurs as the duo face off against every suitor in their violated home.
Eumaeus
In The Odyssey, Eumaeus was Odysseus’ swineherd and friend from before he left for the Trojan War. When Eumaeus was a child, his father was king of an island called Syria and he was a prince. Then, a Peloponnesian sailor seduced his nurse, a Peloponnesian slave. In exchange help with her escape, she agreed to bring the child, amongst other treasures. She was killed by Artemis while on the journey. Eumaeus was brought to Ithaca, where Odysseus' father bought him. He was treated equally to Odysseus and his sister. When Odysseus first returns, Eumaeus is the first mortal that he meets, but because Athena disguised him as an old vagabond, Eumaeus does not recognize him. He took Odysseus into his home, and he treated Odysseus well. Odysseus was somewhat surprised by this hospitality.Even after Odysseus tells him his secret, he does not believe him, partially because he does not want to. When talking to Odysseus, Eumaeus uses the first recorded use of sarcasm. Odysseus soon proves that he’s right by showing Eumaeus a scar that he has had on his foot for a very long time. Eumaeus gets Odysseus into his castle so he can see what’s going on.
Other Characters
Philotius: Odysseus' cowherd
Athena: goddess of wisdom
Telemachus: Odysseus' son
Penelope: Odysseus' Wife
Geography
This particular book of The Odyssey takes place in Ithaca, Odysseus' home. This is significant because he has finally gotten back from his ten year journey home. In one part of the book, Telemachus says that no woman can be found that is like his moher "throughout the Achaean land, in sacred Pylos, Argos, or Mycenae, in Ithaca itself, or in the dark mainland."
Literary Technique
Homer, the author of The Odyssey, loved to use similes in his writing. In this chapter he used a simile of a lyre when Odysseus string the bow and makes it taut, he releases the string and it sings like a lyre. In this case the lyre can either be a bird or the stringed instrument, either way the precision of his archery is like that of a musical note. This sentence restates the raw kingliness possessed by Odysseus regardless of his troubles. A second being how the "winged arrow" would be "tasted by all the feasters there", in this instance the feasters are those nawing at the tension and waiting to 'taste' the success or failure of their prominently distinct opponent. Another form of technique used by Homer in this chapter is inclusion. Being that this book is one of the most pivotal on Odysseus' journey, it holds a lot of meaning, whether it be emotional, climactic or just significant. The inclusion in this book is found when Odysseus lands his shot and becomes the prominent figure in the room. This relates to the theme of the book because throughout the epic, Odysseus is constantly struggling, yet holding his head high because he is strong, determined and has outrageous skill. Even more so, the struggle of the weight on his shoulders and the determination of his archery makes or breaks everything he has striven for in his quest, another form of inclusion. Personification is a literary device used to induce a mood, or drama that relates to an emotionless object. Lines 439-499 of this book are very tense and exciting due to the personification Homer uses on the scene. For example, lightning strikes as a "blazing sign", which is personification to emphasize the stress and importance of Odysseus' action. These are a few of many great devices Homer used in this crucial chapter in his epic, the Odyssey.
Pottery
The Greek culture is valued and appreciated by a wide spectrum of historians, architects, artists, chefs and even tourists. One of the more famous aspects of Greek art is the pottery. Pottery is, in fact, one of the more major archeological records we have about Greek lifestyle. Geometrical art thrived in the 9th and 8th centuries bce, when iconography in motifs were stylish. Pots of this sort were very common and sometimes used for burial. In circa 750 bce, human figures appeared on vases, generically in black, this style was called the Black Dipylon style. Originating from Dipylon, a part of Athens, the rubble from these rather large vases show a majority of chariots, warriors, daily work or phases of the funerary process, for example burial. This reemphasizes the value and appreciation of pottery in the Greek culture. Towards the end of this century, the ancient Greek gods appeared on the sides of these clay pots, as well as their virtuous deeds. As far as the crafting process, one person would form the pot while another would paint it. The clay is thrown on a potter’s wheel and then scraped, usually my metal, to create designs and effects on the painted art. In relation to The Odyssey, more than a few pots depicted the Trojan Cycle, or the Epic Cycle, the longest mythological story in history. This cycle features Odysseus’ journey and is seen on pottery, mainly as a boat going through of the obstacles faced by Odysseus.
Odysseus Strings His Bow
By Brian Grant and Jack Perry
1 The Synopsis
2 Eumaeus
3 Geography
4 Literary Technique
The Synopsis
Penelope is in great distress as she fears that she can hold out no longer against her overbearing suitors. In a frantic attempt to discard her suitors, she goes to a secret storeroom where she procures Odysseus' bow.Telemachus, Odysseus' son, sets up the axes and attempts to string the bow himself to claim the throne from his father. He did not wish to marry his mother, but more so he wishes to prevent the suitors from taking his home away from him and to keep honor in the family. Yet he fails. The other suitors try to ease the bow with grease, but each one fails, one after another. Meanwhile, Odysseus, who is disguised as a vagabond, is outside with Eumaeus, his old friend and swineherd. Also with Philoetius his cowherd. Odysseus shows them the scar on his foot, which he received from the tusk of a boar he fought when he was younger, to ensure loyalty as they do not recognize him. The reason he doesn't look like himself is because Athena wanted Odysseus to make it to his home in discretion. After devising a plan to rid his home of the cocky suitors, Odysseus tells his friends to slip inside with him, lock the doors and to keep people out while he slaughters the suitors. This would take place after he reveals his identity, of course, by conquering the challenge. Eumaeus and Philoetius agree to fight. When inside, Eumaeus takes the bow, but the room fills with laughter as they know the old swineherd had no chance, Odyseus takes the bow from him and is able to string it as the men mocked him as well. As Odysseus' skills were put into action the suitors held their breath with fear as he the shaft of the speeding arrow pierced the target and nary scraped a single ax. Odysseus makes himself known in the room and after signaling to his astonished son, a vicious onslaught occurs as the duo face off against every suitor in their violated home.
Eumaeus
In The Odyssey, Eumaeus was Odysseus’ swineherd and friend from before he left for the Trojan War. When Eumaeus was a child, his father was king of an island called Syria and he was a prince. Then, a Peloponnesian sailor seduced his nurse, a Peloponnesian slave. In exchange help with her escape, she agreed to bring the child, amongst other treasures. She was killed by Artemis while on the journey. Eumaeus was brought to Ithaca, where Odysseus' father bought him. He was treated equally to Odysseus and his sister. When Odysseus first returns, Eumaeus is the first mortal that he meets, but because Athena disguised him as an old vagabond, Eumaeus does not recognize him. He took Odysseus into his home, and he treated Odysseus well. Odysseus was somewhat surprised by this hospitality.Even after Odysseus tells him his secret, he does not believe him, partially because he does not want to. When talking to Odysseus, Eumaeus uses the first recorded use of sarcasm. Odysseus soon proves that he’s right by showing Eumaeus a scar that he has had on his foot for a very long time. Eumaeus gets Odysseus into his castle so he can see what’s going on.
Other Characters
Geography
This particular book of The Odyssey takes place in Ithaca, Odysseus' home. This is significant because he has finally gotten back from his ten year journey home. In one part of the book, Telemachus says that no woman can be found that is like his moher "throughout the Achaean land, in sacred Pylos, Argos, or Mycenae, in Ithaca itself, or in the dark mainland."
Literary Technique
Homer, the author of The Odyssey, loved to use similes in his writing. In this chapter he used a simile of a lyre when Odysseus string the bow and makes it taut, he releases the string and it sings like a lyre. In this case the lyre can either be a bird or the stringed instrument, either way the precision of his archery is like that of a musical note. This sentence restates the raw kingliness possessed by Odysseus regardless of his troubles. A second being how the "winged arrow" would be "tasted by all the feasters there", in this instance the feasters are those nawing at the tension and waiting to 'taste' the success or failure of their prominently distinct opponent. Another form of technique used by Homer in this chapter is inclusion. Being that this book is one of the most pivotal on Odysseus' journey, it holds a lot of meaning, whether it be emotional, climactic or just significant. The inclusion in this book is found when Odysseus lands his shot and becomes the prominent figure in the room. This relates to the theme of the book because throughout the epic, Odysseus is constantly struggling, yet holding his head high because he is strong, determined and has outrageous skill. Even more so, the struggle of the weight on his shoulders and the determination of his archery makes or breaks everything he has striven for in his quest, another form of inclusion. Personification is a literary device used to induce a mood, or drama that relates to an emotionless object. Lines 439-499 of this book are very tense and exciting due to the personification Homer uses on the scene. For example, lightning strikes as a "blazing sign", which is personification to emphasize the stress and importance of Odysseus' action. These are a few of many great devices Homer used in this crucial chapter in his epic, the Odyssey.
Pottery
The Greek culture is valued and appreciated by a wide spectrum of historians, architects, artists, chefs and even tourists. One of the more famous aspects of Greek art is the pottery. Pottery is, in fact, one of the more major archeological records we have about Greek lifestyle. Geometrical art thrived in the 9th and 8th centuries bce, when iconography in motifs were stylish. Pots of this sort were very common and sometimes used for burial. In circa 750 bce, human figures appeared on vases, generically in black, this style was called the Black Dipylon style. Originating from Dipylon, a part of Athens, the rubble from these rather large vases show a majority of chariots, warriors, daily work or phases of the funerary process, for example burial. This reemphasizes the value and appreciation of pottery in the Greek culture. Towards the end of this century, the ancient Greek gods appeared on the sides of these clay pots, as well as their virtuous deeds. As far as the crafting process, one person would form the pot while another would paint it. The clay is thrown on a potter’s wheel and then scraped, usually my metal, to create designs and effects on the painted art. In relation to The Odyssey, more than a few pots depicted the Trojan Cycle, or the Epic Cycle, the longest mythological story in history. This cycle features Odysseus’ journey and is seen on pottery, mainly as a boat going through of the obstacles faced by Odysseus.